Sporting briefs

Essien: Ghana captain Michael Essien was taken to hospital in Luanda yesterday after suffering a knee injury in training. The Chelsea midfielder, who has played just 45 minutes at the Africa Cup, is doubtful for tomorrow's key Group B match against Burkina Faso.

Datolo: Napoli have loaned Jesus Datolo to Olympiakos until summer. The Argentine is expected to join his new club today so that he can begin working with the Greek club under the charge of Zico. The 25-year-old striker had only joined Napoli from Boca Juniors in January last year and signed a five-year contract.

Deadline: Barca coach Pep Guardiola must decide on his future by Easter, according to club president Joan Laporta. The Catalan giants are keen to tie Guardiola to a long-term deal with his current contract set to expire in summer. "We're not going to pressure Pep," said the Barca chief. "But before Holy Week the club need a response on his continuity."

Ulreich: Stuttgart keeper Sven Ulreich spent the night in hospital after being concussed during his side's 3-1 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday. The 21-year-old, who stood in for the suspended Jens Lehmann, took a blow to the head shortly before the end when he dived on the ball in front of Wolfsburg striker Grafite. He has been told to rest for several days.

CSKA Sofia: CSKA Sofia have appointed Romanian Ioan Andone as head coach. Andone, 49, who was sacked by UAE champions Al Ahli six games into the season in November, signed an 18-month contract with the 31-times Bulgarian champions.

Seol: South Korean Seol Ki-hyeon has joined Asian champions Pohang in a bid to improve his chances of being selected for this year's World Cup finals. Seol has signed a one-year deal with the K-League's Steelers after leaving Fulham last week.

Boxing: Amir Khan has announced a deal with American promoter Golden Boy Promotions as he bids to crack the United States. The 2004 Olympic silver medallist and holder of the WBA light-welterweight title has spoken of his desire to make his American debut recently after relocating to California to train under Freddie Roach.

Winter Games: Joannie Rochette won a sixth straight Canadian figure skating title to qualify for the Vancouver Olympics. Reigning world silver medallist Rochette showed her Olympic medal credentials with a sparkling free skate, punctuated with seven triple jumps.

Horse racing: Horse racing fans will get the chance to watch the peerless queen Zenyatta in action later this year after her owners announced the unbeaten mare would be coming out of retirement. Shortly after Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, owners Jerry and Ann Moss said she would move into the broodmare ranks.

Cricket: South Africa won the fourth and final test by an innings and 74 runs yesterday, bowling England out for 169 just before lunch on the fourth day to level the series at 1-1. England began the day on 48 for three, still trailing by 195 runs, but the intensity of Wayne Morkel and Dale Steyn's bowling meant there was no respite for their batsmen.

Basket, NBA: The Charlotte Bobcats used a crushing first half to claim their seventh consecutive home win with a 125-99 rout of the Phoenix Suns. Charlotte's Stephen Jackson scored 29 to top the 10,000-point mark while Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire also reached the plateau after putting up 19 points.